UFC 117 could mark the biggest shake-up in the middleweight division when number one contender Chael Sonnen embarks on a life-long quest - becoming a world champion. That quest comes at the hands of facing Anderson Silva the undisputed UFC Middleweight Champion as Silva looks to defend his title for an unprecedented seventh title defense and continue his domination in the record books with a 12-0 UFC record.

Sonnen has become the new, modern age, Tito Ortiz with all the smack talk. Sonnen held nothing back, prior to the match up becoming official and days leading to the fight. Silva remains his stance on not becoming emotionally involved as he refuses to exchange war of words; his preference - let his talking come at the knuckles of his fists.

The smack-talk aside, the former unofficial WEC Middleweight Champion has the skill-set to pressure Silva in to the corner and wear him down in the later rounds. The gameplan remains simple, put the pressure on, take a beating and give a beating; something Silva has never had to endure in 11 UFC fights.

Silva holds no visible weakness but there remains the question, does Silva have the cardio to go five rounds with Sonnen in a Greco-Roman wrestling, dirty boxing slugfest? With recent lack-luster performances against Thales Leites and Demian Maia, fans, critics and even the UFC president share the same opinion on whether he gassed in those fights, or he was just uninterested in engaging.

The keys to victory for Sonnen are that of his gameplan. Be prepared to take some heavy shots, avoid the deadly muay thai and continue to pressure Silva in to the cage, drop him on his head with a single or double and work the dirty boxing. Before this fight came to fruition, Sonnen promised UFC President Dana White that he would not allow this fight to duplicate the Maia/Silva fight; it will be a brutal beating for both fighters.

Anderson Silva, despite uneventful performances, is still the most dangerous MMA fighter in the game. His body and head movement, quickness, great foot work and outstanding striking skills are what got him thus far in his career. He’s spent very little time on the ground, which could become a problem come Saturday. The effective striking is like no other, he remains the most accurate striker to ever grace the Octagon and has the highlight reel to prove it.

This will be the biggest test of Anderson’s career as the UFC Middleweight Champion. He can not allow this to become a nasty slugfest and must avoid the clinch against the cage where Sonnen will look to wear him down and batter him with dirty boxing to setup a takedown. Silva has to utilize the footwork, speed and counter striking to keep Sonnen out of reach for the takedowns.

Either way, the two combatants will leave it all in the cage with only one leaving the victor. It won’t be pretty and Sonnen could upset the world if he can overcome the odds he faces. For Silva, he’s the champion and you must beat the champion, thus, his relaxing approach to this fight.

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